RHINELANDER - 210 kids in Third World countries will have gifts to open on Christmas morning thanks to a church in Rhinelander.

The Pine Grove Community Church fills shoe boxes with supplies for children in need.

Filling those boxes is part of a worldwide program called Operation Christmas Child.

Boys got socks and tools. Girls will get notebooks and sewing kits.

Diane Mogg is the Operation Christmas Child Coordinator.

"This year we've collected 210 boxes, which is the most we've ever collected. Which is really wonderful for the children," says Mogg.

Operation Christmas Child began in 1993. Pine Grove Community Church started filling boxes 13 years ago.

People at the church get to see what happens with those boxes Christmas morning.

"They take videos of those children opening those boxes. When you see the video, it just touches your heart because you know that they have something that they never seen before, and probably have never had before," says Mogg. "It's really a good feeling for us."

Operation Christmas Child has helped get 100 million boxes to children in Third World countries.

The boxes from Pine Grove Community Church will go to Kenya, Madagascar and India.

TOMAHAWK - A popular Tomahawk event welcomed a sold out crowd over the weekend. 350 people attended the 15th annual Taste of Tomahawk. Local restaurants, breweries and wineries displayed the best they had to offer at the Inshallah Country Club. Organizer Jesica said the event successfully shows what Tomahawk has to offer. "We want to feature the region and all the wonderful things we have to offer. So we hope we get a lot of folks to come to Taste of Tomahawk, that maybe don't visit us other times of year. We can really show them what Tomahawk's all about," said Jesica.

Some vendors used the event as an opportunity to show products and flavors people may not be familiar with.The Silver Birch Supper Club has attended Taste of Tomahawk since the beginning. "[It's great] seeing it grow, from just starting out to seeing what it is today. The costumes are great. Great costumes for St. Patty's Day," said Silver Birch Supper Club General Manager Chris Copiskey,

RHINELANDER - Some members of the Hyms and Hyrs singing group have shared a stage together for more than 30 years.However, they almost had to stop when one of their key members passed away. "When it all works really well, nothing can top it," said Hyms and Hyrs singer Corky.The 25 members of the Hyms and Hyrs singing group are used to hitting the right rhythm together.

"We have a lot of fun," said Hyms and Hyrs singer Jim Priovolos. However, when the group's director and founder of the group died, they thought they would have to put their beats on hold. "We were wondering where we were going to end up with that," said Hyms and Hyrs singer Ken.Just a few months before their talent showcase at Nicolet College Sunday, Priovolos stepped in. "I feel very honored to be conducting them," said Priovolos.Priovolos got the group to pick up exactly where they left off. "He's kept us going," said Ken.

RHINELANDER - A New York based dance company brought their talent to Northern Wisconsin.The Equus Projects performed at ArtStart in Rhinelander Sunday. ArtStart Program Director Ashley McLaughlin was excited to bring art the community usually doesn't get to see She also wanted to bring new talent to the area.

The group doesn't perform traditional choreography. "[I's] improvisation of dance so they're reacting off of each other. [Their] acting off the spot. Very little is choreographed. So that goes to the whole emotion of the group," said McLaughlin.ArtStart collaborated with the Ware House in Eagle River.The Equus Projects will participate in dance classes at ArtStart all week.

MADISON (AP) - An environmental organization and the U.S. Forest Service are working together to harvest timber in northern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Public Radio reports that the 2014 Farm Bill has allowed the two groups to enter into a stewardship agreement. The conservancy will hire loggers, sell timber and use the proceeds for projects the Forest Service can't afford to do.

The conservancy plans to use some money to restore Simpson Creek by rerouting the channel and exposing the gravel floor that fish need to spawn. The group also plans to rebuild a handicap accessible boardwalk on the Oconto River and will use funds to restore habitat for the endangered Kirtland's warbler.

Forest Supervisor Paul Strong says the Forest Service's budget has been stretched by efforts to fight wildfire that have become more frequent and more intense.

Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified.Rockfleet Broadcasting / Northland Television, Inc. and By Request Web Designs shall not be held responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, or misprints.